VIDEO, PHOTOS: Hungarian pianist sets new Guinness record by playing at 5,800 metres
Zoltán Thurzó, a world-renowned Hungarian pianist born and living in Nagyvárad, Romania, has set a new Guinness record in the Himalayas. He played nine classical pieces and the national anthems of four countries at almost 5,800 metres high under challenging conditions. However, he has even bigger ambitions ahead.
Military checkpoints, piano and an astonishing environment
Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid, interviewed Mr Thurzó by phone following his new Guinness record. Thurzó played the piano on the highest paved road in the world, located in the Himalayas, setting a new Guinness record. He explained that the Umling La Pass is on the border of India, Pakistan, Jammu, and South China. The route is difficult to traverse due to the many hairpin bends leading up from the Indus River valley.
Furthermore, given the military activity in the region, they had to cross numerous checkpoints, verify their identity and purpose, and explain why they were transporting a 325 kg piano. The rented instrument was transported from Mumbai to New Delhi, with the help of Dr Mariann Erdő, the Hungarian leader of the local Liszt Institute. We have previously written about the institute’s activities in THIS, THIS and THIS articles.
Interestingly, Mr Thurzó held the previous Guinness record, set in June 2022 on Mount Everest at a height of 5,325 metres and 77 centimetres, where a helicopter transported his instrument. This time, he went even higher.
New Guinness record at 5,800 metres
At nearly 5,800 metres, the oxygen level drops to 50%, Mr Thurzó told Blikk. The conditions were challenging despite the desert-like environment covered with ice crystals being astonishing. He said they started after daybreak and were fortunate as the snowfall stopped five minutes after their arrival and resumed only after the new Guinness record was set.
He played the piano in the Himalayas for 31 minutes and 42 seconds while the temperature was below 0°C but felt like -10°C due to the strong winds. He spent 6.5 hours there.
As a result, he wore a heat-resistant jacket, two tracksuits, three pairs of mountaineering socks and a hat, which he removed during the national anthems. He played the national anthems of Hungary, Szeklerland, Romania, and India.
Here is the video of the Szekler national anthem:
All his records serve a sublime purpose
Mr Thurzó told Blikk that he was born in Nagyvárad (Oradea, Romania) and aims to create a private musical museum in the city. He sets records to raise awareness and funds for this purpose.
With the Romanian and the Szekler flags:
He said he would even travel to the other side of the world but emphasised that he would always return because he has a mission in Nagyvárad. “My motivation is greater than the forces and obstacles I will meet in the future,” he concluded.
Congratulations!
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